Rope climbing device

ABSTRACT

A device to be used for ascending and descending on a rope, which rope is anchored near its upper end. A portion of the device which is attachable to the harness, as by a loop, is threaded laterally onto the rope and a holding member is rotated into position to prevent the rope from passing laterally outward therefrom. The portion of the device which attaches to the harness performs three functions; first, when the rope is passed around the friction members thereof, it will enable the controlled lowering of the climber from a upper elevation to a lower elevation, at a desired rate of speed or the climber may be stopped on the rope, or the descent thereon controlled by tensioning of the rope below the device; second, a brake is provided to which the body harness is so attached as to engage the brake member with the rope so as to hold the body against downward descent; third, with the rope passing longitudinally through the device attached to the harness, without engaging the friction members and with the brake suspending the body, foot engaging members may be hooked together, intermediate the length of the rope, so as to encompass the rope and upon raising the feet upward on the rope, without engaging a cam thereon, the rope will slide therethrough, however, by moving the feet to one position to engage the cam with the rope, the weight of the body may be pushed upward together with the device attached to the body harness and upon the climber attaining an upright position, the weight of the body is shifted so that the shoulder clamps will cause the brake member to engage the rope so as to enable the repeating of the movement to move the climber up the rope.

United States Patent 1 Hoffman 1 June 4,1974

[5 ROPE CLIMBING DEVICE 75 Inventor: Joseph J. HoffmamWichita Falls,

Tex. [73] Assignee: Bear Manufacturing Corp., Wichita Falls, Tex.

[22] Filed: Feb. 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 329,596

[52] U.S. C1 182/6, 182/7, 182/135, 188/652, 188/654 [51] int. Cl A62b 1/14 [58] Field of Search 182/5, 6, 7, 134, 136; 188/654, 65.2

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 161,113 3/1875 Forsyth 182/6 810,254 l/l906 Borneman.. 182/134 2.343.086 2/1944 Schultz v 188/652 2,810,504 10/1957 Pula i 182/134 3,006,431 10/1961 Meyer I 182/5 3,260,328 7/1966 McGowan 182/5 3,317.97! 5/1967 Meyer 182/5 3,437,l78 4/1969 Postlethwait 182/5 3,717,219 2/1973 Hoffmann 182/6 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Alrorm'y. Agent, or F I'rmWayland D. Keith ABSTRACT A device to be used for ascending and descending on a rope, which rope is anchored near its upper end. A portion of the device which is attachable to the harness, as by a loop, is threaded laterally onto the rope and a holding member is rotated into position to prevent the rope from passing laterally outward there from. The portion of the device which attaches to the harness performs three functions; first, when the rope is passed around the friction members thereof, it will enable the controlled lowering of the climber from a upper elevation to a lower elevation, at a desired rate of speed or the climber may be stopped on the rope, or the descent thereon controlled by tensioning of the rope below the device; second, a brake is provided to which the body harness is so attached as to engage the brake member with the rope so as to hold the body against downward descent; third, with the rope passing longitudinally through the device attached to the hair ness, without engaging the friction members and with the brake suspending the body, foot engaging members may be hooked together, intermediate the length of the rope, so as to encompass the rope and upon raising the feet upward on the rope, without engaging a cam thereon, the rope will slide therethrough, however, by moving the feet to one position to engage the cam with the rope, the weight of the body may be pushed upward together with the device attached to the body harness and upon the climber attaining an upright position, the weight of the body is shifted so that the shoulder clamps will cause the brake member to engage the rope so as to enable the repeating of the movement to move the climber up the rope.

10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJUN ,4 I974 sum 2 or 4 ROPE CLIMBING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application is co-pending with my application Ser. No. 91,671 now US. Pat. No. 3,717,219. This invention relates to improvements in apparatus to enable a person to move vertically on a rope, either down-v wardly or upwardly, or to maintain a person in a static position at any pointon the rope.

This device is particularly used in mountain climbing, such as in descending over cliffs and ascending from a lower elevation. It is also used in mines,-caves, as a fire escape for buildings, and thelike. w

Various deviceshave been proposed heretofore for ascending and descending ropes, but these, for the most part, were complex in design and required experienced personnel to master the mechanics of such devices.

The present device is so constructed that a person with little practice can either ascend or descend a rope with minimal effortand in a minimum of time. The device is so constructed that it may be readily carried from place to place as a portable unit, and with the upper end ofa rope fastened to an anchor, as in a build ing or at the edge ofa precipice, or the like, it will enable descent from the building or precipice or the like, or ascending thereonto.

The device may also be used for descending into wells, craters, mines, caves or the like and ascending therefrom without assistance of additional personnel.

While the rope ascending and descending device is shown on a rope, it may be transported independently of the rope with which it is to be used or on the rope with which it is to be used if the weight and bulk of the rope is not a controlling factor; likewise the elements of the rope ascending and descending device'may be sold with or without the rope.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide an efficient device to enable a person either to descend on a rope from a higher elevation or ascend on a rope from a lower elevation to a higher elevation, in a minimum of time, the upper end of which rope is anchored.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that is readily useable in buildings to gain access to non-laddered, structural areas of the building, such as theatres having support battens and other usually inaccessible elevated structures.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ascending and descending device, the use of which enables repair of roofs and steeples of buildings which are too steep to be able to maintain balance without falling.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a rope ascending and descending device for use in mountain climbing, cave exploration and the like.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a rope descending and ascending device wherein the device can be inserted onto the rope and removed from the rope at any place within the length thereof, without the necessity of removing bolts or pins from the device; which device may be reinserted on the rope at any place intermediate to the ends thereof without inserting bolts or pins.

Yet another object of the inventionis to provide an ascending and descending device for use on a rope,

Still a further object of the invention is to provide the climber with the ability to separate the footclamping mechanisms from the rope at any place on the rope, to walk or perform other functions with his feet without the use of his hands, and without the use of his hands, engage the rope with the foot-clamping mechanisms to enable the climber to climb, changeover, or remain static on the rope.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide the climber with an ascending and descending device that affords the maximum speed in ascending and descend ing and is yet a portable device.

A further object of the invention is to provide the climber with a device that may be used in ascending and descending wherein the climber may change from ascending to a descending mode or vice versa with a minimum of activity and time at any point intermediate the length of the rope.

Another object of this invention is to provide footclamping mechanisms which are separable so that the feet of the climber may be used independently of each other.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide for the lowering of an object or an individual by another individual ,tensioning therope at a point below the descent device. Y

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With these objects in view, and others which will become manifest as the description proceeds, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts in the several views thereof in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the climber positioned on the climb ing apparatus on a rope, preparatory to moving upwardly thereon;

FIG. 2 is a view ofa climber positioned on the clim bing apparatus on the rope, after the climber has moved upwardly;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary, perspective view showing a rope of the ascending and descending device, showing the first step of threading the rope through the device;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the second step in threading the rope through the descending apparatus;

FIG. 5 shows a third step in the preparation of the rope;

a FIG. 6 shows a further step in threading a loop of rope through the climbing apparatus;

FIG. 7 shows the opposite side of the device from that shown in FIG. 6, and shows a further step of the rope being looped around the outer friction members,

by passing the rope over the rounded portion of the 3 friction members, preparatory to using the device for descending on the rope;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the rope in tightened coils around the friction members;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational .view taken at a right angle to the device as shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the opposite side of the device from that shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the climbing and holding foot clamps, shown as disengaged and spaced apart; 1

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but showing the foot actuated, rope climbing members engaged on a rope, which operation can be performed in mid air if necessary, and without the use of the hands of the climber; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on the line 13-13- of FIG. 12, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, showing the manner of-clamping the rope between foot engaging members.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED FORM OF INVENTION 7 on a rope 2, permits the descent from a-higher eleva-- tion to lower elevation.

The rope 2 is anchored to a suitable anchor, such as a beam 3 or other stationary member.

The numeral 4 designates generally a climber, which in FIGS. 1 and 2, is shown in the ascending mode.

The numeral 6 designates generally a support harness for the climber, as used either in ascending or descending on the rope 2.

The device generally designated at 1, without the ascending foot-actuated, rope-clamping mechanisms 7 and 7A, is used primarily for descending and holding intermediate the length of the rope.

However, it takes a-combination of both the descending device 1 and the foot-actuated, rope-clamping mechanisms 7 and 7A to perform an ascending operation. A brake cam 24 is used in combination with the descending device to perform a braking action to hold the descending device intermediate the length of the rope 2, as shown in FIG. 4, when desired, and pin 28 is moved outward in relation to brake cam 24.

For the purpose of the description, the device 1 will be first described as a descending devicewhich comprises spaced-apart plates 8, l and 12, as will best be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. The plates 8 and 10 are spaced apart a distance of at least the diameter of rope 2 and are joined in this spaced-apart'relation by a cylindricallike friction member l6 and a rounded portion of the brake cam 24 to form an opening 18 therebetween and between the plates 8 and 10. The configuration of plate 8 and plate 9A is such as to form an S-shaped slot 98 therebetween, which slot is ofa width to admit the rope 2 to be passed therethrough. The configuration of plates 8 and 9A overhangs the rope when in the position as shown in FIG. 4, to hold the rope in guided relation therethrough, when in ascending mode.

The opening 18, between the cylindrical-like member 16 and brake cam 24, is of a size to enable the threading of a doubled rope 2 therethrough, as shown in Floss, 9 and 10.

The rope 2 passes partially around the cylindricallike friction member 16 and cam 24 and over the cylindrical-like friction members 20 and 22 which extend between plates 10 and 12, FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, so as to form a normal frictional retardant against the rope moving aroundthe friction members when tension is exerted on the lower end thereof.

The brake cam 24 has a lever 25 thereon, to which lever the lower portion of the harness 6 is attached by loops 29 to a carbiner link 30 and the-shoulder straps 44 to a loop 42. The cam 24 is pivotally mounted on pin 27 between plates 8 and 10. The lever 25 actuates the cam 24 as an eccentric, FIG. 4, so when moved to one position, it will engage rope 2 to perform a braking or holding action on the rope against plate 23, FIGS. 1

and 4. However, when it is desired, the braking or holding action of cam 24 may be released by upward movement of the cam lever 25, as by the climber 4 raising shoulder straps 44 upwardly, which straps are attached to loop 42 on lever 25 by hooks 46, which will release the cam 24 from rope 2to enable the climber 4 and descent device 1 to quickly move up the rope 2 to a higher position on the rope. The cam 24 is again locked onto rope 2 by the weight of the climber 4 on harness 6 through loops 29 attached to carbiner link 30. The climber may remain in a static position or he may thread the rope 2 between plates 8 and 10, as shown in FIG. 6, and over friction members 20 and 22, as shown j in FIGS. 7 and 8. With the rope-clamping mechanisms 7 and 7A engaged onto the rope 2, the climber 4 brings his legs up to a sitting position which allows the rope 2 to pass through'opening 49 formed by the rope comes into'contact with projection 47 on plate 10 as in passed through holes in plates 8, 10, 12, cylindrical friction member 20 and cam 24, making cam 24' static and free from any braking action on the rope2. The climber 4 may then either disengage therope-clamping mechanisms 7 and 7A as shown in FIG. 11 or by bringing' the knees together, releasing the braking action of cam 38 of rope-clamping mechanisms 7A on rope 2 against face-48 of the rope-clamping mechanism 7. .The climber 4 may then use the device 1 to descend at a controlled rate of speed by proper tensioning of the rope 2 below the device 1.

When it is desired to ascend the rope 2, and with the open hooks 32 of foot-actuated, rope-clamping device 7 engaged with a transverse pin 34 on foot-actuated, rope-clamping device 7A, the legs 36 of the climber are moved outward at the knees to cause a pivot action of hooks 32 about transverse pin 34; and with the rope 2 between hooks 32, physical pressure can be applied to bindingly engage rope 2 with cam 38, in a manner best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, ll, 12 and 13. This will enable the climber 4 to raise from the squatting position, as shown in FIG. 1, to an upright position, as shown in FIG. 2. The climber then pulls pin 28 outwardly, which frees the cam 24 and lever 25 to pivot on pin 27 and lock onto the rope 2 by the climber returning to a sitting position and allowing the weight of the climber in harness 6 to pull lever 25 down through the action on loop 29 and carbiner 30 attached to lever 25. By releasing pressure on rope-clamping mechanisms 7 and 7A, the rope 2 is freed from pressure and passes easily through opening 49 of rope-clamping devices 7 and 7A, thereby allowing the climber to remove the rope 2 laterally from over cylindrical friction members 20 and 22 and remove the loop of the rope 2 from between plates 8 and 10, thus restoring the rope to the position as shown in FIG. 4. To ascend, the climber 4 brings his knees up to a sitting position as in FIG. 1 and at that point, applies downward pressure with the knees separated which locks cam 38 onto rope 2 against face 48 on ropeclamping mechanism 7. When the climber moves to a standing position on rope-clamping mechanisms 7 and 7A, the braking or holding action of cam 24 is released and the device I raised by the action of the shoulder straps 44 being raised by movement of the shoulders of the climber 4 as he assumes standing position, which straps are attached to loop 42 on lever 25 by hooks 46.

At any point along the rope, the hooks 32 may be disengaged from the transverse bar 34, which enables the climber to walk or to otherwide use the feet to gaina better position, either during ascent or descent, or to move transversely.

By tightening the lower end of the rope 2, as by hand, below the descending device I, when in descent mode, the climber within the harness 6 can be held at any desired point on the rope without the use of the cam brake 24, and by releasing tension on the rope, descent can be made without the pin 28 being released while the rope is threaded around the friction member, as shown in FIG. 8. If the climber desired to maintain one position on the rope 2 for a period of time, the foot actuated, rope-clamping mechanisms 7 and 7A are engaged with the rope 2 to relieve the weight from the descending device and the pin 28 is removed to allow braking action on the rope by the use of the cam 24, and the weight exerted by the harness 6 being connected thereto by rings 29 to a linkage or carbiner 30, which will cause the lever 25 to move cam 24 into engagement with rope 2 tohold the climber 4 in static position. A further linkage 42 is provided on lever 25, inwardly from linkage 30 to which linkage 42 the upper portion of the harness 6 is attached by hooks 46, as will best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, which will cause the raising of lever 25 by the climber raising upwardly, as shown in FIG. 2, which will also move the descending device I upwardly when ascending and place minimal friction on the rope 2. The harness 6 is connected to lever 25 by a carbiner link 30 near the outer end thereof, which link is connected to the harness 6 to exert downward pressure on lever 25 when the body of the climber is in one position so as to cause engagement of the cam 24 to perform a braking action, however, at the same time, there is a downward pressure on the harness 6, the upper portion of the harness 6 or the shoulder straps 44 will connect to a linkage 42, which linkage is spaced inwardly from carbiner link 30 and exerts tension on the lever 25 to a lesser degree, but with sufficient tension to cause an opposing force to exist, even when the cam 24 is engaged in braking relation with the rope. However, upon moving the body to another position to shift the weight, after engaging the rope 2 with cam 38 by actuating the foot engaging members 7 and 7A, a greater tension can be exerted on the shoulder strap 6 so as to disengage the cam 24 from the rope to enable the descending device to be moved upward, but with a lesser opposing force on carbiner link 30 so as to enable the cam to be in position ready to engage, so when the climber 4 returns to a sitting position, the device 1 will remain at the highest point reached on the rope 2.

OPERATION In the operation of the descending and ascending device, a rope 2 is attached to an anchor member 3, and with the harness 6 connected by loops 29 to a carbiner or link 30 to the outwardly extending lever 25 of cam 24, and with the hooks 46 engaging loop 42, the climber 4 may move the rope 2 into position behind guard member 9, as shown in FIG. 3, and the guard member 9 moved from the dashed outline position as shown in FIG. 4 to the full outline position shown therein, to hold the rope 2 between the plate 8 and the plate 10. With the rope in this position and resting below retainer plate 9A after the rope 2 has been passed through slot 9B between plates 8 and 9A to a position as shown in FIG. 4, and with the pin 28 re moved, the cam 24 will clamp the rope between the rounded face thereof and against a face 23 that is positioned between the retainer plate 9A and the plate I0. The climber can remain suspended in this position over an indefinite period of time to enable the rope 2 to be doubled as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6 and threaded between plates8 and 10 and friction member 16 and cam 24. The looped part of the rope 2 is passed over the cylindrical friction members 20 and 22 to enable the device to be used as a descending device. However. to be able to move downwardly on the rope 2, it is first necessary to swing the feet from the position as shown in FIG. 11 to the position shown in FIG. 12 to enable the hooks 32 to engage rounded, transverse bar 34 so as to clamp the rope 2 between the bifurcated hooks 32 and the outwardly extending cam member 38 on foot actuated, rope clamping mechanism 7A.

With the foot actuated, rope clamping mechanisms 7 and 7A in the position shown in FIG. 12, and with the rope pressed inwardly against cam member 38, it will enable the climber4to remain in static relation with respect to the rope 2.

After the rope 2 has been intertwined over friction members 20 and 22 by the climber, the climber moves upwardly to cause the straps 44 of harness 6 to move lever 25 upwardly against projection 47, and the pin 28 can then be inserted through cam 24 and plates 8, l0 and 12 so as to hold the cam out of engagement with rope 2, and then, by the climber moving his knees inwardly, the foot actuated, rope clamping mechanisms 7 and 7A will release the rope, whereby by exerting controlled tension on the rope 2 below the device I, the climber may descend from a higher elevation to a lower elevation.

To ascend the rope 2, the climber engages rope clamping mechanisms 7 and 7A as shown in FIG. 12 by bringing the knees together and assuming asitting position while the rope 2 is being tensionedbelow the device l by hand and then spreading the knees and stand ing on the rope clamping mechanisms 7 and 7A as in FIG. 1. The downward pressure of the rope clamping mechanisms 7 and 7A on rope 2 below device 1 will move the lever 25 through a slight arcuate movement upwardly, releasing the downward pressure on lever 25 by cam 24 acting on pin 28 through plates 8, l0, l2 and cylindrical friction member 20 so that pin 28 may be more easily removed. The climber 4 then beings his knees together, releasing the braking action of cam 38 on rope 2 and returns to a standing position allowing the rope 2 to pass freely through the opening 49, whereupon the rope is removed from around friction members 20 and 22 and from between the friction member 16 and cam 24, and with the descending device threaded onto the rope, as shown in FIG. 4, and with the harness 6 connected to carbiner or link 30 with the pin 28 removed from engagement with the cam 24 and plates 8, l and 12, and with the hooks 46 on straps 44, which pass over the shoulders of the climber 4 and with the straps linked to loop 42, and

with the foot actuated, rope clamping mechanisms 7 and 7A positioned as shown in FIGS. 2 and 12, the knees are brought together and raised as in sitting. At the highest point the knees are spread and the rope is clamped in binding engagement between cam 38 on foot actuated, rope clamping mechanism 7A and inner surface 48 on foot clamping mechanism 7 between bifurcated hooks 32 on foot actuated, rope clamping mechanism 7. Then by raising the body from the position as shown in FIG, 1 to the'position shown in FIG. 2, the descending device 1 is moved upwardly, then, by moving the body into a sitting position as shown in FIG. I, the lever 25 is moved downwardly to cause the cam 24 to engage the rope 2, which movement enables the foot actuated, rope clamping mechanism 7 to be disengaged from the rope and moved upwardly thereon to allow the climber to assume the sitting position and the rope clamping mechanism 7 to be re-engaged, and the cycle is repeated until the climber moves upwardly the length of the rope.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, which device comprises;

a. a pair of spaced apart, substantially parallel plates,

b. a braking member pivotally mounted between said spaced apart plates, and spaced from a complementary plate to perform a braking action on a rope when moved to one position, 1,. said brakingmember adapted to release the rope when moved to another position,

c. said spaced apart plates having a longitudinal slot extending therealong for passage of a rope laterally thereinto between said braking member and said complementary plate,

I. said braking member having an outwardly extending apertured lever thereon to move said braking member,

d. a guard member having an inturned hook thereon adapted to receive the rope laterally thereinto when in one position and to rotate arcuately to move the rope into close fitting relation with one of said plates when in another position so said rope will be held against lateral movement within said longitudinal slot,

e. a pair of loops fitted within the apertures in said outwardly extending apertured brake lever,

I. one of said loops adapted to support a load thereon to move the brake lever into one position to engage the braking member with the rope,

2. the other of said loops adapted to be connected to a support strap on the harness to move the lever in the opposite direction to release said braking member from the rope.

2. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness 10 and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof,

as defined in claim 1; wherein a. a further plate is secured a spaced distance from one of said aforementioned plates, b. a pair of spaced apart, rounded friction members extending between said last mentioned plate and the adjacent plate, the spacing being such as to enable a doubled rope to be passed therebetween and over the ends of the last mentioned plate so as to cause the rope to frictionally engage the greater portion of the circumferences of said'rounded friction members.-

3. A device forlongitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness 2 and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof,

as defined in claim 1; wherein a. an axle member passes through at least two of said plates and said braking member to pivotally mount said braking member thereon,

I a hole formed therethrough, which holes are in off set relation to said axle member,

1. said hole in said braking member adapted to be in register with the holes in said plates, when said braking member is in one position,

2. a movable pin fitted within'said holes when said holes are in register to fixedly hold said braking member out of engagement with the rope, when said braking member is in another' position,

3 said braking member adapted to pivot about said axle member when said movable pin is removed from engagement in said hole in said braking member to permit said braking member to be selectively engaged with the 'rope.

,4. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said apertured lever which extends outwardly from said braking member has a looped member in each said aperture thereof,

b. a supporting harnesssecured to one-of said loops in said outwardly extending, apertured lever to engage said braking member, upon directing the,

weight of the body of the climber onto said loop by shifting the weight of the climber the'reonto,

5. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. one of said plates has an abutment formed thereon so as to limit the upward pivotal movement of said outwardly extending apertured lever.

6. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 5; wherein b. said plates and said braking member each having a. the supporting harness has straps to extend over the shoulders of the climber, with fastening means thereon engageable with one of said loops on said outwardly extending apertured brake lever, so as to enable the straps to selectively move said lever upwardly against said abutment to release said braking member from engagement with said rope.

7. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. a foot engaging member secured to each foot of the climber,

1. one of said foot engaging members has an inwardly extending, hook-like, bifurcated member thereon,

2. the other of said foot engaging members has an inwardly and upwardly extending member thereon,

3. a transverse, rounded bar-like member on the upper end of said inwardly and upwardly extending member,

4. said inwardly and upwardly extending member having a cam surface formed on the upwardly extendingportion thereof adjacent said inwardly extending, hook-like member so as to pass between the bifurcations thereof and enclose a rope therein,

5. a complementary face between the bifurcations of said bifurcated member to receive the rope between said cam face and the face between the bifurcations of said bifurcated member,

6. said rounded bar-like member complementally and selectively interengages with said inwardly extending hook-like member, while the climber is on the rope, to pivot within said hook-like members, so upon movement of the feet to one position said cam face is moved about the axis of said rounded bar-like member to grip the rope between said cam-like face and said face between the bifurcations of said hook-like member to maintain said foot engaging members and the climber against downward movement on the rope,

7. said foot engaging members adapted to be moved into another position to move said rounded bar-like member about the axis thereof to disengage said cam face from the rope to permit movement of said foot engaging members relative to the rope, and

8. said foot engaging members and said braking member attached to the support harness are coordinated to enable the climber to engage the rope with the foot engaging members, to rise to an upright position, and engage the braking member connected to the supporting harness to enable the lower portion of the body of the climber to be raised upward along the rope and the foot engaging members re-engaged with the rope and the operation repeated to enable the climber to move upward along the rope.

8. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 7; wherein a. said rounded bar-like member is oval in crosssection,

b. the lesser cross-sectional area dimension of said rounded bar-like member will pass into the bifurcated hook-like member, when in one position, and

c. when the rounded bar-like member is moved to another position, the greater dimension will not pass outwardly through said hook-like member.

9. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 7; wherein a. said rounded bar-like member is disengageable from said bifurcated hook-like member, when in one position, to move laterally to free the rope from between said bifurcations so the climber may move the feet outwardly.

10. A descending device for controlled downward movement of a load on a rope, which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, which device comprises;

a. a pair of spaced apart, substantially paralleled plates,

b. said spaced apart plates having a longitudinal slot extending therealong for passage of the rope laterally thereinto,

c. a guard member comprising an inturned hook, which guide member is adapted to receive the rope laterally into said slot, when in one position, and to rotate arcuately to move the tope into close fitting relation with one of said plates when in another position, so said rope will be held against lateral movement within said longitudinal slot,

, d. a further plate secured a spaced distance from one of said aforementioned plates,

e. a pair of spaced apart, rounded friction members extending between said last mentioned plate and the adjacent plate, the spacing being such as to enable a doubled rope to be passed therebetween and over the ends of the last mentioned plate so as to cause the rope to frictionally engage the greater portion of the circumferences of said rounded friction members,

f. a loop mounted on said descending device,

1. said loop adapted to support a load, 2. said load adapted to be lowered on said rope by controlling the tension'on the rope below the descending device. 

1. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, which device comprises; a. a pair of spaced apart, substantially parallel plates, b. a braking member pivotally mounted between said spaced apart plates, and spaced from a complementary plate to perform a braking action on a rope when moved to one position,
 1. said braking member adapted to release the rope when moved to another position, c. said spaced apart plates having a longitudinal slot extending therealong for passage of a rope laterally thereinto between said braking member and said complementary plate,
 1. said braking member having an outwardly extending apertured lever thereon to move said braking member, d. a guard member having an inturned hook thereon adapted to receive the rope laterally thereinto when in one position and to rotate arcuately to move the rope into close fitting relation with one of said plates when in another position so said rope will be held against lateral movement within said longitudinal slot, e. a pair of loops fitted within the apertures in said outwardly extending apertured brake lever,
 1. one of said loops adapted to support a load thereon to move the brake lever into one position to engage the braking member with the rope,
 2. the other of said loops adapted to be connected to a support strap on the harness to move the lever in the opposite direction to release said braking member from the rope.
 2. a movable pin fitted within said holes when said holes are in register to fixedly hold said braking member out of engagement with the rope, when said braking member is in another position,
 2. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. a further plate is secured a spaced distance from one of said aforementioned plates, b. a pair of spaced apart, rounded friction members extending between said last mentioned plate and the adjacent plate, the spacing being such as to enable a doubled rope to be passed therebetween and over the ends of the last mentioned plate so as to cause the rope to frictionally engage the greater portion of the circumferences of said rounded friction members.
 2. the other of said loops adapted to be connected to a support strap on the harness to move the lever in the opposite direction to release said braking member from the rope.
 2. said load adapted to be lowered on said rope by controlling the tension on the rope below the descending device.
 2. the other of said foot engaging members has an inwardly and upwardly extending member thereon,
 3. a transverse, rounded bar-like member on the upper end of said inwardly and upwardly extending member,
 3. said braking member adapted to pivot about said axle member when said movable pin is removed from engagement in said hole in said braking member to permit said braking member to be selectively engaged with the rope.
 3. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. an axle member passes through at least two of said plates and said braking member to pivotally mount said braking member thereon, b. said plates and said braking member each having a hole formed therethrough, which holes are in off-set relation to said axle member,
 4. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said apertured lever which extends outwardly from said braking member has a looped member in each said aperture thereof, b. a supporting harness secured to one of said loops in said outwardly extending, apertured lever to engage said braking member, upon directing the weight of the body of the climber onto said loop by shifting the weight of the climber thereonto.
 4. said inwardly and upwardly extending member having a cam surface formed on the upwardly extending portion thereof adjacent said inwardly extending, hook-like member so as to pass between the bifurcations thereof and enclose a rope therein,
 5. A device For longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. one of said plates has an abutment formed thereon so as to limit the upward pivotal movement of said outwardly extending apertured lever.
 5. a complementary face between the bifurcations of said bifurcated member to receive the rope between said cam face and the face between the bifurcations of said bifurcated member,
 6. said rounded bar-like member complementally and selectively interengages with said inwardly extending hook-like member, while the climber is on the rope, to pivot within said hook-like members, so upon movement of the feet to one position said cam face is moved about the axis of said rounded bar-like member to grip the rope between said cam-like face and said face between the bifurcations of said hook-like member to maintain said foot engaging members and the climber against downward movement on the rope,
 6. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 5; wherein a. the supporting harness has straps to extend over the shoulders of the climber, with fastening means thereon engageable with one of said loops on said outwardly extending apertured brake lever, so as to enable the straps to selectively move said lever upwardly against said abutment to release said braking member from engagement with said rope.
 7. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. a foot engaging member secured to each foot of the climber,
 7. said foot engaging members adapted to be moved into another position to move said rounded bar-like member about the axis thereof to disengage said cam face from the rope to permit movement of said foot engaging members relative to the rope, and
 8. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 7; wherein a. said rounded bar-like member is oval in cross-section, b. the lesser cross-sectional area dimension of said rounded bar-like member will pass into the bifurcated hook-like member, when in one position, and c. when the rounded bar-like member is moved to another position, the greater dimension will not pass outwardly through said hook-like member.
 8. said foot engaging members and said braking member attached to the support harness are coordinated to enable the climber to engage the rope with the foot engaging members, to rise to an upright position, and engage the braking member connected to the supporting harness to enable the lower portion of the body of the climber to be raised upward along the rope and the foot engaging members re-engaged with the rope and the operation repeated to enable the climber to move upward along the rope.
 9. A device for longitudinal movement of a climber on a rope, which climber wears a supporting harness and which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, as defined in claim 7; wherein a. said rounded bar-like member is disengageable from said bifurcated hook-like member, when in one position, to move laterally to free the rope from between said bifurcations so the climber may move the feet outwardly.
 10. A descending device for controlled downward movement of a load on a rope, which rope is anchored near the upper end thereof, which device comprises; a. a pair of spaced apart, substantially paralleled plates, b. said spaced apart plates having a longitudinal slot extending therealong for passage of the rope laterally thereinto, c. a guard member comprising an inturned hook, which guide member is adapted to receive the rope laterally into said slot, when in one position, and to rotate arcuately to move the tope into close fitting relation with one of said plates when in another position, so said rope will be held against lateral movement within said longitudinal slot, d. a further plate secured a spaced distance from one of said aforementioned plates, e. a pair of spaced apart, rounded friction members extending between said last mentioned plate and the adjacent plate, the spacing being such as to enable a doubled rope to be passed therebetween and over the ends of the last mentioned plate so as to cause the rope to frictionally engage the greater portion of the circumferences of said rounded friction members, f. a loop mounted on said descending device, 